Valve mechanism for engine-cooling systems



Se t. 1927.

p H. c. MALLORY VALVE MECHANISM FOR ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS Original Filed May 26 192s 5, ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

HARRY C. MALLOHY,

OF NEW YORK, 11. Y.; SUE R. MALLORY ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID HARRY C, MALLOBY, DECEASED.

VALVE MEGHANI$T1I FOR ENGINE-COOLING SYSTEMS.

Application filed May 26,1923, Serial No. 641,541. Renewed February 4, 1927.

My present invention relates'to cooling systems for internal. comb stion engines of the kind disclosed and claimed in my prior Patent No. 1,424,664, dated August 1, 1922, in which a cooling liquid is vaporized by heat absorbed in the engine cooling jacket and the vapor produced is condensed in a condenser, to which air is admitted, and from which air is withdrawn to thereby vary its condensing capacity, as required to maintain a vapor pressure in the condenser which is approximately constant and less than that of the atmosphere, whereby a suitable and approximately constant temperature is maintained in the engine cooling space.

A general object of my invention is to provide an improved valve mechanism for use in the type of engine cooling system referred to. A more specific object of the invention is to combine in a single, simple, and compact structure the check valve required in the connection between the cooling system and air exhausting mechanism associated therewith, and the vacuum relief valve admitting air to the cooling system when the vacuum therein rises above that which it is desired to maintain. A second specific object of the invention is to provide the system with a valve mechanism constructed and disposed to utilize the cleansing action of the fuel mixture passing to the combustion chambers of the engine, in keeping the valve mechanism clean.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For

a better understanding of the invention, however, and its advantages, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation with parts broken away and in section of an engine cooling system incorporating the present invention; Fig. 2 is-a plan view of the novel valve mechanism; and

Fig. 3- is a section on the line Fig. 2.

In the drawings I have illustrated the use *offmy' invention in connection with an auto- 3 mobile engine A and its cooling system in which a pipe connection A leads from the top of the cooling liquid acket A for the engine cylinders, to the vapor space B of an air cooled surface condenser E, which may be similar in general construction and arrangement to the radiators commonly employed in automobiles having engine cooling systems of the water circulation type. Water of condensation is returned from the hotwell 13? of the condenser B to the jacket A, by means of a pipe C running fromthe condenser to the circulating pump D, and

the outlet pipe D from the pump which opens to the jacket A at A A bypass connection E, E and E about the pump D serves as an overflow from the jacket A and thereby fixes the water level A normally maintained in the jacket. E" represents a vent connection from the top of the bypass to the vapor space in the jacket A.

The pump D is driven from the engine A, through a reduction gear, conventionally illustrated at F, which through the. belt G, also drives the condenser cooling fan G. The cooling system shown also comprises provisions for utilizing thesuction or minus pressure in the fuel intake manifold of the engine to withdraw air from the condenser, and provisions for admitting air to the condenser as required tomaintain an approximately constant vapor pressure therein, and

thereby maintain an approximately constant cooling liquid temperature in the engine acket A. In so far as it has already been 'described, the apparatus shown by the drawings involves no departure in construction or operation from my said prior Patent No. 1,424,664. a

The present invention consists in a novel combination and arrangement of the provisions made to withdraw air from and admit 'it to the condenser as required to maintain the desired constant vapor pressure therein. In accordance with the present invention the pipe H leading from the condensing space in the condenser B to the suction intake manifold I of the engine, is connected into the manifold through a valve casing K shown as comprising an externally threaded nipple K at its upper end which is threaded into anaperture formed for the purpose in the bottom wall of the intake manifold I between the engine cylinders and the carburetor J. The valve casing K-is formedwith an upper chamber and a' lowe'r chamber K separated by a partition containing a restricted orifice K, and is provided at one side with a hollow boss K into which the end ofthe pipe H is threaded, and through which the latter communicates with the chamber K". The chamber K communicates with the intake manifold I through a valve seated port M, and backflow from the manifold into the chamber K is prevented by a suitablecheck valve shown as a ball valve L. As shown the port M is formed in a valve seat member M threaded into the end of the nipple K and the gravity seated ball valve L is guided in its movements, and restrained against undue displacement by a cage formed by suitably bent wires or posts h secured to the member M.

Provisions are made for admitting atmospheric air to the chamber K whenever the pressure of the atmosphere exceeds the pressure in the chamber K by a certain predetermined amount. The provisions shown for this purpose comprise an air admission port O formed in a valve seated member 0 which is threaded into an opening pro vided for the purpose in the bottom wall of the chamber Kf. The member 0 is provided at the upper end of the port 0 with a seat 0 for a valve member P. The latter is provided at its underside with a fluted stem or guide portion P, working in the enlarged upper portion of the port 0. At its upper side the valve member P is provided with a stem P in line with a post Q, depending from the partition between the chambers K" and I: and serving to restrict the lift of the valve member P thereby preventing it from being displaced into an'inoperative position. The valve member P may be loaded to give it the required valve closing tendency by means of a spring, but advantageously the valve closing tendency is due to gravity, and the differential between the pressure of the atmosphere and the pressure in the chamber K which the valve P tends to maintain, maybe varied by diminishing or increasing the number or weight of the annular loading weights P threaded on the stem P 1 In the normal operation of the apparatus disclosed air is constantly being sucked from the chamber K through the restricted port K into the chamber K and thence into the intake manifold I as a result of the minus pressure which exists in the latter while the engine is in operation. The air thus withdrawn from the chamber K comes from the -.c ondenser through the pipe H, when the pressure in the condenser is above the pressure in the chamber K and comes from the atmosphere through the port 0 when the pressure in the condenser is equal to, or

the condenser is below that in the chamber K more or less of the air admitted to the chamber K through the port 0 passes into the condenser through the pipe H. The air thus passing into the condenser tends to lower the condensing capacity of the condenser and thereby restore the desired equality of the pressure in the condenser and the pressure in the chamber K The check valve L serves to prevent any appreciable quantity of the fuel mixture in the suction intake manifold I from passing into the chamber K and thence into the engine cooling system, when the pressure in the manifold temporarily becomes higher than the pressure in the engine cooling system.

sations in vapor pressure in the engine cooling system as a result of the sudden and substantial changes in pressure occasionally occurring in the suction intake manifold, are prevented by the flow resistance of the restricted port K The valve mechanism shown is obviously simple and reliable. lVith the valve constructed as described and arranged with the check valve L and its seat M extending into the intake manifold I between the carburetor J and the engine combustion chambers, the valve L and its seat are constantly swept by the fuel and air mixture passingto the engine combustion chambers thereby keeping the valve and its seat clean. Furthermore the liquidfuel collecting on the check valve L and its seat passes down through the port M in suflicient quantity to keep the restricted port K clean,and to exert an appreciable cleaning effect on the valve P and its seat.

\Vhile in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described the best form of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that certain features of my invention may sometimes be used with advantage: without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, What -I claim as new'and desire'to secure by Letters'Patent, is: I

1. In an internal combustion engine cooling system of the boiling and condensing type comprising a connection to the suction intake of the engine from the condenser of the cooling system for withdrawing air fromthe latter, the improvement which consists in a regulating valve forming a part of said connection adjacent said intake and adapted to be cleaned by the air and fuel mixture passing through the intake r 2. In an internal combustion engine cooling system ofthe boiling and-condensing typecomprising aconnection to the suction intake of the engine from the condenser of separated the cooling system for withdrawing air from the latter, the improvement which consists in a check valve in said connection extending into said intake so as to be swept and cleaned by the air and fuel mixture passing through the intake.

3.21 valve mechanism comprising two chambers communicating through a restricted port and provided with an outlet port from one 01'' said chambers and a check valve preventing inflow through said port and provided with two ports opening into the other chamber and a loaded valve controlling one of said ports and opening to permit the influx of atmospheric air into the last mentioned chamber when the pressure of the atmosphere exceeds the pressure in the last mentioned chamber by a predetermined amount.

4. A valve mechanism for use in an engine cooling system comprising a condenser and means for admitting air to and withdrawing it from said condenser to regulate the condensing capacityo'f the latter comprising a casing formed with two chambers by a restricted port and with a port through which one oi said chambers may be connected to an air exhausting device and with a second port through which the other chamber may be connected to the vapor space of the cooling system, and with a third port through which the atmospheric air may enter the last mentioned chamber and a loaded valve controlling the last mentioned port and opening only when the pressure of the atmosphere exceeds the pressure in the last mentioned chamber by a predetermined amount.

5. In an internal combustion engine provided with a cooling system of the boiling and condensing type and a suction intake connection from the carburetor to the combustion space of the engine, the improvement which consists in a chambered member mounted in the wall of said intake connection and comprising two chambers connected by a restricted port, and provided with a port through which one of said chambers communicates with the interior of said intake connection, a check valve pre-- venting flow out of the intake connection through said port and provided with a port through which the other chamber communicates with the atmosphere, a loaded valve controlling said port and opening and closing accordingly as the excess of the atmospheric pressure above the pressure in said other chamber rises above or falls below a predetermined value and a conduit connec tion from said other chamber to the vapor space of said cooling system.

6. In an internal combustion engine provided with a cooling system of the boiling and condensing type and a suction intake connection from the carburetor to the combustion space of the engine, the improvement which consists in a chambered member mounted in the bottom wall of said intake connection and comprising two chambers one above the other and connected by a restricted port, and provided with a port at the top of the upper chamber opening into the intake connection, a check valve preventing flow out of the intake connection through said port and provided with a port opening through the bottom wall of the lower chamber to the atmosphere, a loaded valve controlling said port and opening and clos ing accordingly as the excess of the atmospherie pressure over the pressure in the lower chamber rises above or falls below a predetermined value, and a conduit connection from said lower chamber to the vapor space of said cooling system.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 25th day of Way A. D. 1923.

HARRY C. MALLORY. 

